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Parl Nuroer A921-01

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A
SampIe PL/SQL Programs
%is appendix provides several PL/SQL programs to guide you in writing your
own. %e sample programs illustrate several important PL/SQL concepts and
Ieatures.
%is appendix discusses te Iollowing topics:
Running te Programs
Sample 1. FOR Loop
Sample 2. Cursors
Sample 3. Scoping
Sample 4. Batc %ransaction Processing
Sample 5. Embedded PL/SQL
Sample 6. Calling a Stored Procedure
#:333g the Programs
ll te sample programs in tis appendix and several oters trougout tis guide
are available online. So, tey are preceded by te Iollowing comment:
-- available online in file '<filename'

ou can Iind te online Iiles in te PL/SQL demo directory. For te location oI te
directory, see te Oracle installation or user's guide Ior your system. Here is a list
oI te Iiles and teir locations in tis guide:
Ie3ame Locato3 3 Ths G:/e
examp1 "Understanding te Main Features oI PL/SQL"
examp2 "Conditional Control"
examp3 "Iterative Control"
examp4 "Using liases"
Ie3ame Locato3 3 Ths G:/e
examp7 "Using Cursor FOR Loops"
examp8 "Passing Parameters to a Cursor FOR Loop"
examp5 "Some Examples oI Cursor ttributes"
examp6 "Some Examples oI Cursor ttributes"
examp11 "Example"
examp12 "Examples"
examp13 "Examples"
examp14 "Examples"
sample1 "Sample 1. FOR Loop"
sample2 "Sample 2. Cursors"
sample3 "Sample 3. Scoping"
sample4 "Sample 4. Batc %ransaction Processing"
sample5 "Sample 5. Embedded PL/SQL"
sample6 "Sample 6. Calling a Stored Procedure"
ou run some samples interactively Irom SQL*Plus, oters Irom Pro*C programs.
ou can experiment wit te samples Irom any Oracle account. However, te
Pro*C examples expect you to use te 8.ott/tigeraccount.
BeIore trying te samples, you must create some database tables, ten load te
tables wit data. ou do tat by running two SQL*Plus
scripts, exampbld and examplod, wic are supplied wit PL/SQL. ou can Iind
tese scripts in te PL/SQL demo directory.
%e Iirst script builds te database tables processed by te sample programs. %e
second script loads (or reloads) te database tables. %o run te scripts, invoke
SQL*Plus, ten issue te Iollowing commands:
SQL START exampbld
...
SQL START examplod
SampIe 1. # Loop
%e Iollowing example uses a simple R loop to insert ten rows into a database
table. %e values oI a loop index, counter variable, and eiter oI two caracter
strings are inserted. Wic string is inserted depends on te value oI te loop
index.
3p:t TabIe
ot applicable.
PL/SQL BIock
-- available online in file '8ample1'
DECLARE
x NUMBER := 100;
BEGIN
R i IN 1..10 L!
I MD(i,2) = 0 THEN -- i i8 even
INSERT INT temp VALUES (i, x, 'i i8 even');
ELSE
INSERT INT temp VALUES (i, x, 'i i8 odd');
END I;
x := x + 100;
END L!;
CMMIT;
END;
:tp:t TabIe
SQL SELECT RM temp RDER BY .ol1;

NUM_CL1 NUM_CL2 CHAR_CL
-------- -------- ---------
1 100 i i8 odd
2 200 i i8 even
3 300 i i8 odd
4 400 i i8 even
5 500 i i8 odd
6 600 i i8 even
7 700 i i8 odd
8 800 i i8 even
9 900 i i8 odd
10 1000 i i8 even
SampIe 2. C:rsors
%e Iollowing example uses a cursor to select te Iive igest paid employees Irom
te emp table.
3p:t TabIe
SQL SELECT ename, empno, 8al RM emp RDER BY 8al DESC;

ENAME EM!N SAL
---------- --------- --------
KING 7839 5000
SCTT 7788 3000
RD 7902 3000
JNES 7566 2975
BLAKE 7698 2850
CLARK 7782 2450
ALLEN 7499 1600
TURNER 7844 1500
MILLER 7934 1300
ARD 7521 1250
MARTIN 7654 1250
ADAMS 7876 1100
JAMES 7900 950
SMITH 7369 800
PL/SQL BIock
-- available online in file '8ample2'
DECLARE
CURSR .1 i8
SELECT ename, empno, 8al RM emp
RDER BY 8al DESC; -- 8tart with highe8t paid employee
my_ename VARCHAR2(10);
my_empno NUMBER(4);
my_8al NUMBER(7,2);
BEGIN
!EN .1;
R i IN 1..5 L!
ETCH .1 INT my_ename, my_empno, my_8al;
EXIT HEN .1%NTUND; / in .a8e the number reque8ted /
/ i8 more than the total /
/ number of employee8 /
INSERT INT temp VALUES (my_8al, my_empno, my_ename);
CMMIT;
END L!;
CLSE .1;
END;
:tp:t TabIe
SQL SELECT RM temp RDER BY .ol1 DESC;

NUM_CL1 NUM_CL2 CHAR_CL
-------- -------- --------
5000 7839 KING
3000 7902 RD
3000 7788 SCTT
2975 7566 JNES
2850 7698 BLAKE
SampIe 3. Scop3g
%e Iollowing example illustrates block structure and scope rules. n outer block
declares two variables named x and .ounter and loops Iour times. Inside tis loop
is a sub-block tat also declares a variable named x. %e values inserted into
te temp table sow tat te two x's are indeed diIIerent.
3p:t TabIe
ot applicable.
PL/SQL BIock
-- available online in file '8ample3'
DECLARE
x NUMBER := 0;
.ounter NUMBER := 0;
BEGIN
R i IN 1..4 L!
x := x + 1000;
.ounter := .ounter + 1;
INSERT INT temp VALUES (x, .ounter, 'in UTER loop');
/ 8tart an inner blo. /
DECLARE
x NUMBER := 0; -- thi8 i8 a lo.al ver8ion of x
BEGIN
R i IN 1..4 L!
x := x + 1; -- thi8 in.rement8 the lo.al x
.ounter := .ounter + 1;
INSERT INT temp VALUES (x, .ounter, 'inner loop');
END L!;
END;
END L!;
CMMIT;
END;
:tp:t TabIe
SQL SELECT RM temp RDER BY .ol2;

NUM_CL1 NUM_CL2 CHAR_CL
-------- -------- -------------
1000 1 in UTER loop
1 2 inner loop
2 3 inner loop
3 4 inner loop
4 5 inner loop
2000 6 in UTER loop
1 7 inner loop
2 8 inner loop
3 9 inner loop
4 10 inner loop
3000 11 in UTER loop
1 12 inner loop
2 13 inner loop
3 14 inner loop
4 15 inner loop
4000 16 in UTER loop
1 17 inner loop
2 18 inner loop
3 19 inner loop
4 20 inner loop
SampIe 4. Batch Tra3sacto3 Process3g
In te next example te a..ount8 table is modiIied according to instructions stored
in te a.tion table. Eac row in te a.tion table contains an account number, an
action to be taken (I, U, or D Ior insert, update, or delete), an amount by wic to
update te account, and a time tag used to sequence te transactions.
On an insert, iI te account already exists, an update is done instead. On an update,
iI te account does not exist, it is created by an insert. On a delete, iI te row does
not exist, no action is taken.
3p:t TabIes
SQL SELECT RM a..ount8 RDER BY a..ount_id;

ACCUNT_ID BAL
---------- -------
1 1000
2 2000
3 1500
4 6500
5 500

SQL SELECT RM a.tion RDER BY time_tag;

ACCUNT_ID NE_VALUE STATUS TIME_TAG
---------- - ---------- -------------------- ---------
3 u 599 18-NV-88
6 i 20099 18-NV-88
5 d 18-NV-88
7 u 1599 18-NV-88
1 i 399 18-NV-88
9 d 18-NV-88
10 x 18-NV-88
PL/SQL BIock
-- available online in file '8ample4'
DECLARE
CURSR .1 IS
SELECT a..ount_id, oper_type, new_value RM a.tion
RDER BY time_tag
R U!DATE 8tatu8;
BEGIN
R a..t IN .1 L! -- pro.e88 ea.h row one at a time

a..t.oper_type := upper(a..t.oper_type);

/----------------------------------------/
/ !ro.e88 an U!DATE. If the a..ount to /
/ be updated doe8n't exi8t, .reate a new /
/ a..ount. /
/----------------------------------------/
I a..t.oper_type = 'U' THEN
U!DATE a..ount8 SET bal = a..t.new_value
HERE a..ount_id = a..t.a..ount_id;

I SQL%NTUND THEN -- a..ount didn't exi8t. Create it.
INSERT INT a..ount8
VALUES (a..t.a..ount_id, a..t.new_value);
U!DATE a.tion SET 8tatu8 =
'Update: ID not found. Value in8erted.'
HERE CURRENT .1;
ELSE
U!DATE a.tion SET 8tatu8 = 'Update: Su..e88.'
HERE CURRENT .1;
END I;

/--------------------------------------------/
/ !ro.e88 an INSERT. If the a..ount already /
/ exi8t8, do an update of the a..ount /
/ in8tead. /
/--------------------------------------------/
ELSI a..t.oper_type = 'I' THEN
BEGIN
INSERT INT a..ount8
VALUES (a..t.a..ount_id, a..t.new_value);
U!DATE a.tion 8et 8tatu8 = 'In8ert: Su..e88.'
HERE CURRENT .1;
EXCE!TIN
HEN DU!_VAL_N_INDEX THEN -- a..ount already exi8t8
U!DATE a..ount8 SET bal = a..t.new_value
HERE a..ount_id = a..t.a..ount_id;
U!DATE a.tion SET 8tatu8 =
'In8ert: A..t exi8t8. Updated in8tead.'
HERE CURRENT .1;
END;

/--------------------------------------------/
/ !ro.e88 a DELETE. If the a..ount doe8n't /
/ exi8t, 8et the 8tatu8 field to 8ay that /
/ the a..ount wa8n't found. /
/--------------------------------------------/
ELSI a..t.oper_type = 'D' THEN
DELETE RM a..ount8
HERE a..ount_id = a..t.a..ount_id;

I SQL%NTUND THEN -- a..ount didn't exi8t.
U!DATE a.tion SET 8tatu8 = 'Delete: ID not found.'
HERE CURRENT .1;
ELSE
U!DATE a.tion SET 8tatu8 = 'Delete: Su..e88.'
HERE CURRENT .1;
END I;

/--------------------------------------------/
/ The reque8ted operation i8 invalid. /
/--------------------------------------------/
ELSE -- oper_type i8 invalid
U!DATE a.tion SET 8tatu8 =
'Invalid operation. No a.tion taen.'
HERE CURRENT .1;

END I;

END L!;
CMMIT;
END;
:tp:t TabIes
SQL SELECT RM a..ount8 RDER BY a..ount_id;

ACCUNT_ID BAL
---------- --------
1 399
2 2000
3 599
4 6500
6 20099
7 1599

SQL SELECT RM a.tion RDER BY time_tag;

ACCUNT_ID NE_VALUE STATUS TIME_TAG
---------- - ---------- --------------------- ---------
3 u 599 Update: Su..e88. 18-NV-88
6 i 20099 In8ert: Su..e88. 18-NV-88
5 d Delete: Su..e88. 18-NV-88
7 u 1599 Update: ID not found. 18-NV-88
Value in8erted.
1 i 399 In8ert: A..t exi8t8. 18-NV-88
Updated in8tead.
9 d Delete: ID not found. 18-NV-88
10 x Invalid operation. 18-NV-88
No a.tion taen.
SampIe 5. Embe//e/ PL/SQL
%e Iollowing example sows ow you can embed PL/SQL in a ig-level ost
language suc as C and demonstrates ow a banking debit transaction migt be
done.
3p:t TabIe
SQL SELECT RM a..ount8 RDER BY a..ount_id;

ACCUNT_ID BAL
---------- --------
1 1000
2 2000
3 1500
4 6500
5 500
PL/SQL BIock 3 a C Program
/ available online in file '8ample5' /
#in.lude <8tdio.h
.har buf20,;
EXEC SQL BEGIN DECLARE SECTIN;
int a..t;
double debit;
double new_bal;
VARCHAR 8tatu865,;
VARCHAR uid20,;
VARCHAR pwd20,;
EXEC SQL END DECLARE SECTIN;

EXEC SQL INCLUDE SQLCA;

main()

extern double atof();

8tr.py (uid.arr,"8.ott");
uid.len=8trlen(uid.arr);
8tr.py (pwd.arr,"tiger");
pwd.len=8trlen(pwd.arr);

printf("\n\n\tEmbedded !L/SQL Debit Tran8a.tion Demo\n\n");
printf("Trying to .onne.t...");
EXEC SQL HENEVER SQLERRR GT errprint;
EXEC SQL CNNECT :uid IDENTIIED BY :pwd;
printf(" .onne.ted.\n");
for (;;) / Loop infinitely /

printf("\n Debit whi.h a..ount number. (-1 to end) ");
get8(buf);
a..t = atoi(buf);
if (a..t == -1) / Need to di8.onne.t from ra.le /
/ and exit loop if a..ount i8 -1 /
EXEC SQL CMMIT RELEASE;
exit(0);
,

printf(" hat i8 the debit amount. ");
get8(buf);
debit = atof(buf);

/ ---------------------------------- /
/ ----- Begin the !L/SQL blo. ----- /
/ ---------------------------------- /
EXEC SQL EXECUTE

DECLARE
in8uffi.ient_fund8 EXCE!TIN;
old_bal NUMBER;
min_bal CNSTANT NUMBER := 500;
BEGIN
SELECT bal INT old_bal RM a..ount8
HERE a..ount_id = :a..t;
-- If the a..ount doe8n't exi8t, the N_DATA_UND
-- ex.eption will be automati.ally rai8ed.
:new_bal := old_bal - :debit;
I :new_bal = min_bal THEN
U!DATE a..ount8 SET bal = :new_bal
HERE a..ount_id = :a..t;
INSERT INT journal
VALUES (:a..t, 'Debit', :debit, SYSDATE);
:8tatu8 := 'Tran8a.tion .ompleted.';
ELSE
RAISE in8uffi.ient_fund8;
END I;
CMMIT;
EXCE!TIN
HEN N_DATA_UND THEN
:8tatu8 := 'A..ount not found.';
:new_bal := -1;
HEN in8uffi.ient_fund8 THEN
:8tatu8 := 'In8uffi.ient fund8.';
:new_bal := old_bal;
HEN THERS THEN
RLLBACK;
:8tatu8 := 'Error: ' || SQLERRM(SQLCDE);
:new_bal := -1;
END;

END-EXEC;
/ -------------------------------- /
/ ----- End the !L/SQL blo. ----- /
/ -------------------------------- /

8tatu8.arr8tatu8.len, = '\0'; / null-terminate /
/ the 8tring /
printf("\n\n Statu8: %8\n", 8tatu8.arr);
if (new_bal = 0)
printf(" Balan.e i8 now: $%.2f\n", new_bal);
, / End of loop /

errprint:
EXEC SQL HENEVER SQLERRR CNTINUE;
printf("\n\n Error during exe.ution:\n");
printf("%8\n",8ql.a.8qlerrm.8qlerrm.);
EXEC SQL RLLBACK RELEASE;
exit(1);
,
3teract;e Sesso3
Embedded !L/SQL Debit Tran8a.tion Demo

Trying to .onne.t... .onne.ted.

Debit whi.h a..ount number. (-1 to end) 1
hat i8 the debit amount. 300

Statu8: Tran8a.tion .ompleted.
Balan.e i8 now: $700.00

Debit whi.h a..ount number. (-1 to end) 1
hat i8 the debit amount. 900
Statu8: In8uffi.ient fund8.
Balan.e i8 now: $700.00

Debit whi.h a..ount number. (-1 to end) 2
hat i8 the debit amount. 500

Statu8: Tran8a.tion .ompleted.
Balan.e i8 now: $1500.00

Debit whi.h a..ount number. (-1 to end) 2
hat i8 the debit amount. 100

Statu8: Tran8a.tion .ompleted.
Balan.e i8 now: $1400.00

Debit whi.h a..ount number. (-1 to end) 99
hat i8 the debit amount. 100

Statu8: A..ount not found.

Debit whi.h a..ount number. (-1 to end) -1
:tp:t TabIes
SQL SELECT RM a..ount8 RDER BY a..ount_id;

ACCUNT_ID BAL
---------- ------
1 700
2 1400
3 1500
4 6500
5 500

SQL SELECT RM journal RDER BY date_tag;

ACCUNT_ID ACTIN AMUNT DATE_TAG
---------- -------------------- --------- ---------
1 Debit 300 28-NV-88
2 Debit 500 28-NV-88
2 Debit 100 28-NV-88
SampIe 6. CaII3g a Store/ Proce/:re
%is Pro*C program connects to Oracle, prompts te user Ior a department
number, ten calls procedure get_employee8, wic is stored in package per8onnel.
%e procedure declares tree index-by tables as UTIormal parameters, ten Ietces
a batc oI employee data into te index-by tables. %e matcing actual parameters
are ost arrays.
Wen te procedure Iinises, it automatically assigns all row values in te index-
by tables to corresponding elements in te ost arrays. %e program calls te
procedure repeatedly, displaying eac batc oI employee data, until no more data
is Iound.
3p:t TabIe
SQL SELECT ename, empno, 8al RM emp RDER BY 8al DESC;

ENAME EM!N SAL
---------- --------- --------
KING 7839 5000
SCTT 7788 3000
RD 7902 3000
JNES 7566 2975
BLAKE 7698 2850
CLARK 7782 2450
ALLEN 7499 1600
TURNER 7844 1500
MILLER 7934 1300
ARD 7521 1250
MARTIN 7654 1250
ADAMS 7876 1100
JAMES 7900 950
SMITH 7369 800
Store/ Proce/:re
/ available online in file '8ample6' /
#in.lude <8tdio.h
#in.lude <8tring.h

typedef .har a8.iz;

EXEC SQL BEGIN DECLARE SECTIN;
/ Define type for null-terminated 8tring8. /
EXEC SQL TY!E a8.iz IS STRING(20);
a8.iz u8ername20,;
a8.iz pa88word20,;
int dept_no; / whi.h department to query /
.har emp_name10,21,;
.har job10,21,;
EXEC SQL VAR emp_name i8 STRING (21);
EXEC SQL VAR job i8 STRING (21);
float 8alary10,;
int done_flag;
int array_8ize;
int num_ret; / number of row8 returned /
int SQLCDE;
EXEC SQL END DECLARE SECTIN;

EXEC SQL INCLUDE 8ql.a;

int print_row8(); / produ.e8 program output /
int 8qlerror(); / handle8 unre.overable error8 /

main()

int i;

/ Conne.t to ra.le. /
8tr.py(u8ername, "SCTT");
8tr.py(pa88word, "TIGER");

EXEC SQL HENEVER SQLERRR D 8qlerror();

EXEC SQL CNNECT :u8ername IDENTIIED BY :pa88word;
printf("\nConne.ted to ra.le a8 u8er: %8\n\n", u8ername);

printf("Enter department number: ");
8.anf("%d", &dept_no);
fflu8h(8tdin);

/ !rint .olumn header8. /
printf("\n\n");
printf("%-10.108%-10.108%8\n", "Employee", "Job", "Salary");
printf("%-10.108%-10.108%8\n", "--------", "---", "------");

/ Set the array 8ize. /
array_8ize = 10;
done_flag = 0;
num_ret = 0;

/ Array fet.h loop - end8 when NT UND be.ome8 true. /
for (;;)

EXEC SQL EXECUTE
BEGIN per8onnel.get_employee8
(:dept_no, :array_8ize, :num_ret, :done_flag,
:emp_name, :job, :8alary);
END;
END-EXEC;

print_row8(num_ret);

if (done_flag)
brea;
,

/ Di8.onne.t from ra.le. /
EXEC SQL CMMIT RK RELEASE;
exit(0);
,

print_row8(n)
int n;

int i;

if (n == 0)

printf("No row8 retrieved.\n");
return;
,

for (i = 0; i < n; i++)
printf("%10.108%10.108%6.2f\n",
emp_namei,, jobi,, 8alaryi,);
,
8qlerror()

EXEC SQL HENEVER SQLERRR CNTINUE;
printf("\nra.le error dete.ted:");
printf("\n% .708 \n", 8ql.a.8qlerrm.8qlerrm.);
EXEC SQL RLLBACK RK RELEASE;
exit(1);
,
3teract;e Sesso3
Conne.ted to ra.le a8 u8er: SCTT

Enter department number: 20

Employee Job Salary
-------- --- ------
SMITH CLERK 800.00
JNES MANAGER 2975.00
SCTT ANALYST 3000.00
ADAMS CLERK 1100.00
RD ANALYST 3000.00



Copyrigt
1996, 2002
Oracle
Corporation.

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PL|80L User's Cu|de
and Reference
Re|ease 2 (9.2}
Parl Nuroer A921-01

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B
CHA# ;ers:s
VA#CHA#2
Sema3tcs
%is appendix explains te semantic
diIIerences between
te CHAR and VARCHAR2 base types. %ese subtle
but important diIIerences come into play wen
you assign, compare, insert, update, select, or
Ietc caracter values.
%is appendix discusses te Iollowing topics:
sslgnlng CharacLer values
Comparlng CharacLer values
lnserLlng CharacLer values
SelecLlng CharacLer values
Assg33g Character VaI:es
Wen you assign a caracter value to
a CHAR variable, iI te value is sorter tan te


declared lengt oI te variable, PL/SQL blank-
pads te value to te declared lengt. So,
inIormation about trailing blanks is lost. In te
Iollowing example, te value assigned
to la8t_name includes six trailing blanks, not
just one:
la8t_name CHAR(10) := 'CHEN '; -- note
trailing blan

II te caracter value is longer tan te
declared lengt oI te CHAR variable, PL/SQL
aborts te assignment and raises te predeIined
exception VALUE_ERRR. PL/SQL neiter
truncates te value nor tries to trim trailing
blanks. For example, given te declaration
a.ronym CHAR(4);

te Iollowing assignment raises VALUE_ERRR:
a.ronym := 'S!CA '; -- note trailing
blan

Wen you assign a caracter value to
a VARCHAR2 variable, iI te value is sorter tan
te declared lengt oI te variable, PL/SQL
neiter blank-pads te value nor strips trailing
blanks. Caracter values are assigned intact, so
no inIormation is lost. II te caracter value is
longer tan te declared lengt oI
te VARCHAR2 variable, PL/SQL aborts te
assignment and raises VALUE_ERRR. PL/SQL
neiter truncates te value nor tries to trim
trailing blanks.
Compar3g Character VaI:es
ou can use te relational operators to
compare caracter values Ior equality or
inequality. Comparisons are based on te
collating sequence used Ior te database
caracter set. One caracter value is greater
tan anoter iI it Iollows it in te collating
sequence. For example, given te declarations
la8t_name1 VARCHAR2(10) := 'CLES';
la8t_name2 VARCHAR2(10) := 'CLEMAN';

te Iollowing IF condition is true:
I la8t_name1 la8t_name2 THEN ...

SI/ISO SQL requires tat two caracter
values being compared ave equal lengts. So,
iI bot values in a comparison ave
datatype CHAR, blank-padding semantics are
used. %at is, beIore comparing caracter
values oI unequal lengt, PL/SQL blank-pads
te sorter value to te lengt oI te longer
value. For example, given te declarations
la8t_name1 CHAR(5) := 'BELL';
la8t_name2 CHAR(10) := 'BELL '; --
note trailing blan8

te Iollowing I condition is true:
I la8t_name1 = la8t_name2 THEN ...

II eiter value in a comparison as
datatype VARCHAR2, non-blank-
padding semantics are used. %at is, wen
comparing caracter values oI unequal lengt,
PL/SQL makes no adjustments and uses te
exact lengts. For example, given te
declarations
la8t_name1 VARCHAR2(10) := 'D';
la8t_name2 VARCHAR2(10) := 'D '; --
note trailing blan8

te Iollowing I condition is Ialse:
I la8t_name1 = la8t_name2 THEN ...

II one value in a comparison as
datatype VARCHAR2 and te oter value as
datatype CHAR, non-blank-padding semantics
are used. But, remember, wen you assign a
caracter value to a CHAR variable, iI te value
is sorter tan te declared lengt oI te
variable, PL/SQL blank-pads te value to te
declared lengt. So, given te declarations
la8t_name1 VARCHAR2(10) := 'STAUB';
la8t_name2 CHAR(10) := 'STAUB'; --
!L/SQL blan-pad8 value

te Iollowing I condition is Ialse because te
value oI la8t_name2 includes Iive trailing
blanks:
I la8t_name1 = la8t_name2 THEN ...

ll string literals ave datatype CHAR. So, iI
bot values in a comparison are literals, blank-
padding semantics are used. II one value is a
literal, blank-padding semantics are used only
iI te oter value as datatype CHAR.
3sert3g Character VaI:es
Wen you insert te value oI a PL/SQL
caracter variable into an Oracle database
column, weter te value is blank-padded or
not depends on te column type, not on te
variable type.
Wen you insert a caracter value into
a CHAR database column, Oracle does not strip
trailing blanks. II te value is sorter tan te
deIined widt oI te column, Oracle blank-
pads te value to te deIined widt. s a
result, inIormation about trailing blanks is lost.
II te caracter value is longer tan te deIined
widt oI te column, Oracle aborts te insert
and generates an error.
Wen you insert a caracter value into
a VARCHAR2 database column, Oracle does not
strip trailing blanks. II te value is sorter tan
te deIined widt oI te column, Oracle does
not blank-pad te value. Caracter values are
stored intact, so no inIormation is lost. II te
caracter value is longer tan te deIined
widt oI te column, Oracle aborts te insert
and generates an error.
490 %e same rules apply wen updating.
Wen inserting caracter values, to ensure tat
no trailing blanks are stored, use te
Iunction RTRIM, wic trims trailing blanks. n
example Iollows:
DECLARE
...
my_name VARCHAR2(15);
BEGIN
...
my_ename := 'LEE '; -- note trailing
blan8
INSERT INT emp
VALUES (my_empno, RTRIM(my_ename),
...); -- in8ert8 'LEE'
END;
SeIect3g Character VaI:es
Wen you select a value Irom an Oracle
database column into a PL/SQL caracter
variable, weter te value is blank-padded or
not depends on te variable type, not on te
column type.
Wen you select a column value into
a CHAR variable, iI te value is sorter tan te
declared lengt oI te variable, PL/SQL blank-
pads te value to te declared lengt. s a
result, inIormation about trailing blanks is lost.
II te caracter value is longer tan te
declared lengt oI te variable, PL/SQL aborts
te assignment and raises VALUE_ERRR.
Wen you select a column value into
a VARCHAR2 variable, iI te value is sorter tan
te declared lengt oI te variable, PL/SQL
neiter blank-pads te value nor strips trailing
blanks. Caracter values are stored intact, so
no inIormation is lost.
For example, wen you select a blank-
padded CHAR column value into
a VARCHAR2 variable, te trailing blanks are not
stripped. II te caracter value is longer tan
te declared lengt oI te VARCHAR2 variable,
PL/SQL aborts te assignment and
raises VALUE_ERRR.
490 %e same rules apply wen Ietcing.



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1996 2002
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